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Internationally renowned composer and alum Stephen Paulus (left) and U professor and poet Michael Dennis Browne wrote "Pilgrim's Hymn," which will be performed on June 11 at President Reagan's funeral.

Hymn by U prof and alum to be performed at funeral of President Reagan

By Patty Mattern

Published on June 10, 2004

A 90-voice chorus from all branches of the military will perform
a hymn by University of Minnesota professor and poet Michael Dennis
Browne and internationally renowned composer and alumnus Stephen
Paulus for a world audience on Friday during the funeral for
President Ronald Reagan.

In 1997, Paulus composed "Pilgrim's Hymn" and Browne wrote the
text. The piece is the finale to Paulus' and Browne's one-act opera
"The Three Hermits," which premiered in 1997. Critics say the hymn
is a moving anthem that brings listeners to tears.

An Army conductor called Paulus earlier this week and asked that
he Fed Ex 90 copies of the hymn to the military choir, Browne
says.

The hymn is popular in its own right and has sold more than
60,000 copies worldwide, Browne says. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir
is among two dozen choirs that have recorded "Pilgrim's Hymn." Twin
Cities audiences heard the hymn in October 2001 at "Elegy," a
benefit concert at Orchestra Hall for victims of the Sept. 11,
2001, attacks.

The hymn's inclusion in Reagan's funeral raises it to a new
level. "For a poet who writes books and sells a few copies, this is
serious," Browne says.

Browne and Paulus are deeply grateful to have their hymn used in
this way. "It's honoring the passing of a fellow human being, a man
who was once the most powerful in the world," Browne says. "To
contribute to any eloquence of such an occasion is a great
privilege."